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As you’re reading this, my family and I are just beginning our first short vacation of the summer. We’re heading northwest —to the woods, the lake, the trails—and more importantly, to a gathering that’s been two decades in the making. For the past 20 years, I’ve had the incredible gift of walking through ministry and life with a group of fellow pastors I first met in seminary. We formed a covenant group way back when we were just students—full of hope, coffee, idealism, and theological fire—and we’ve stayed committed to each other through the highs and lows of ministry, parenting, loss, change, and celebration. EveryRead More →

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There’s a special kind of sacredness in a beginning. Sure, beginning something new might make you anxious and uncertain but it also invites you to be curious, to wonder, and to hope.  That’s how this new season feels for me and for my family as we step into life with you all here at UMCG. We’ve already experienced such generous hospitality—through warm welcomes, friendly conversations, and the many thoughtful snacks and meals that remind us just how much a church can feel like home. Thank you for receiving us as a part of your UMCG family. As I begin serving as your Minister of FormationRead More →

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This Sunday at UMCG marks an exciting shift in how we live out our calling as a church. As many of you know, we are welcoming Rev. Heather Connor as our new Minister of Formation and Outreach. You’ll be seeing more of Pastor Heather—in worship, in classrooms, around the building, and especially in our community. But you’ll also be noticing something else: this isn’t the same pastoral structure UMCG has had in the past. And that’s by design. For many years, UMCG has faithfully served as a “finishing school” for associate pastors; newer elders placed here to grow, learn, and eventually move on. These associateRead More →

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A few weeks ago, I found myself in a full-blown mission impossible trying to secure Ella’s birthday gift. It was one of those high-stakes missions that, while ridiculous in scale, somehow takes on mythic importance when your daughter’s big day is involved. UPS attempted delivery while I was out—missed them by nine minutes. Not a huge deal, except the package required a signature. They’d try again, the Post-it note said. We had time for a second attempt but not a third. So, I cleared the schedule, only for the driver to arrive two hours early. I missed it again. Cue the frantic scramble. Maybe you’veRead More →